Machine for breaking, scutching, and cleaning hemp or other fibrous material



April 15 1924.

' W. A. SHELY MACHINE FOR BREAKING, scu'rcame, AND CLEANING HEMP OR OTHER FIBROUS MATBRIABE Original Filed June 5. 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet l April 15 1924. 7 1,490,345 w. A. SHELY HACHINE FOR BREAKING, SCUTCHING, AND CLEANING HEMP OR OTHER FIBROUS MATERIAL O riginal Filed June 3. '1920 5 Sheets-Sheet April 15 1924.

.- w. A. SHELY MACHINE FOR BREAKING, SCUTCHING AND CPEANING HEMP OR OTHER FIBROUS MATERIAL Original Fi'led June- 5, 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 15, 1 924.

W. A. SHELY SCUTCHING AND CLEANING HEMP OR OTHER FIBROUS MATERIAL MACHINE FOR BREAKING,

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 m QQQ QQ SQ mQN w a N m \N@ I v Q R3 5m WU .m I II I I I I R w WW W I k \E I I I NN I I I M 53 I I m I III I n s H QM! I M III I mww W. I l N .1 I I I II w mmw l I I I M nu I I R I I u |I I IvI I I I. IJ Q E x u i Qsc I Q I I \m .gw mxfi II II III I U I H J I IIII W 1I m m 3 \w I I 3M w a I II \wfifi I w I m fi SQ Q I 1. I I 3. R SQ 3Q m K N Y WW %\w W W xx Q QR ImW MN 9Q Aprii 15 1924. j W. A. SHELY momma FOR BREAKING, scum'crm'e 'AND CLEANING ,HBM-BORTOTHER FIBBOUS MATERIAL s sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed June 5,

Patented Apr. 15, 1924.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM A. SHELY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MACHINE FOR BREAKING, SCU'TCIIING, AND CLEANING HEMP OR OTHER FIBROUS MATERIAL.

Application filed. June 3, 1920, Serial No. 386,328. Renewed September 24. 192%.

To all whom it may concern:

B it known that T. VILLIAM A. SHE-LY. 'a citizen of the United States. residing in Chicago, iii-the county of Cook and State of Illinois. have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Breaking, Scutching, and (leaning Hemp or Other Fibrous Material, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of machines for breaking and scutching and cleaning hemp or other fibrous material,

' having means fonbreaking or loosening the hurds or shives from the fibrous material of stozrks of hemp or other fibrous material,

such as flax, jute, malva, ramie, parini, or

similar material, and for removing or separating the hurds or shives from the fibrous material.

It also relates to improvements in machines for breaking and scutching or treating and cleaning hemp or other fibrous material, having one or more beater bars eac'n mounted on a rotative sup ort and adapted to engage fibrous materia to be fed into position to be operated upon thereby, and means for supporting fibrous material in position to be fed to and operated upon by the beater-bar mechanism; and also to improvements in means for separating the hurds or shives from the fibrous material as the stalks of fibrous material are passing from the beater mechanism of the above mentioned form or other form of beater mechanism, and to the means for supporting and operating the beater mechanism.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a simple, economical and eflicient machine for breaking and scutching or treating and cleaning hemp, flax, jute,

malva, ramie, parini, or other fibrous material; and to means for separating and re- -moving the hurds or shives from the outer or fibrous portions of stalks of fibrous material.

Other and further objects of the invention will appear from the following description and claims. and from the accompanying drawings which are made a part'of this specification. 4

The invention consists-in the features, combinations. details of construction, and arrangement of parts herein described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings-- Figure 1 is a view in longitudinal central vertical section of a machine constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2. is a plan view of the machine shown in Fig. 1. with the central portion of the machine and some of the parts broken away, I for the purpose of clearly illustrating the mechanism, and the construction and arrangement and mode of operation of the parts:

Fig. 3, is a view in central vertical section of another or modified form of the forward breaking and scutching. or fibersupporting and beating, cleaning and feeding mechanism; and

Fig. t. is a view in transverse elevation ofthe mechanism shown in Fig. 3. partly in section-the portion of said Figure 4 on the right hand side of the figure from its center, .being taken on approximatelv section line 4 of Fig. 3. looking forward, as indicated by the arrows. with the central part of the mechanism and certain other parts of the machine broken away or shown in elevation for the purpose of clearness of illustration; while the part of the Figure 4 on the left hand side of the center of the figure. shows the machine as it would appear in approximatclv vertical section on irregular line 5-5 of Fig. looking forward as indicated by the arrows, the bearings shown being on said section line, and the gears there shown being in elevation. with otherparts broken away or omitted. for the sake of clearness and in order to avoid unnecessarily illustrating duplicate parts.

.Fig. 5 is a. view in side elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3. and 4;

Fig. 6 is a view in side elevation of a modification of the driving mechanism and beater-bar guiding mechanism; and Fig. '7, a plan view of the driving and bar-guiding mechanism shown in Fig. 6.

In constructing an improved machine for breaking and scutching and cleaning or treating hemp, flax, jute. malva, ramie, parini, or other fibrous material, in accordance with my invention, I provide a main frame which, when constructed as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. com prises outer parallel main side frames or frame members 1, 1, a front transverse frame member 2, a transverse back frame member 3, a transverse mtermedlate mam or bottom frame member 4. which may be secured at its opposite ends to the outer side frame members 1, 1, and may also be secured to the intermediate longitudinal parallel bottom frame members 11, shown in Fig. 1; and bottom transverse frame members or bars 5 and 6, which may be connected with the main outer bottom side frame members 1, 1, by means of brackets 7, and 8, and are adapted to serve, if-;dcsired, as axles. It isobvious that any suitable means may be employed for securing the bars or axles 5 and 6 in position.

I Front wheels 9, and rear supporting wheels 10, or any desirable suitable form of running gear or supporting means, may be provided.

Inner intermediate longitudinal bottom main frame members 11, 11. shown in Fig. lare arranged in parallel relation to the outer frame member 1, 1, and secured at their opposite ends to the transverse end frame members 2 and 3.

Upright outer side frame members 12,

12, are rigidly secured to and extend up-- .wardly from the opposite outer bottom side frame members 1, 1, and may be secured to the latter by means of bolts 13, or other suitable securing means.

Inner upright frame members 14, 14, are fixed attheirbottom ends to frame members 11, 11, between theside frame members 12, in position to support the stationary break-bars 0r. fiber-supporting means. and feeding -mechanism hereinafter described.

An upper front transverse frame memher or bar 15, is secured at its opposite extremities to the upright frame members 14; and a similar upper transverse frame-member 16 is rigidly secured at its opposite ends, to the tops of theupright frame members A suitable cover 17 may be secured in position by means of hinges 18, or other suitable securing means; and a casing 19 of sheet metal may inclose all or any desired part of the machine.

Mounted upon the inner upright frame members or standards 14, 14, is a pair of break bars-which are by preference stationary'consisting of an upper break-bar.

23 and a lower break-bar 24 mounted in parallel superposed relation, with their rear fiber-engagingi and breaking edges 25 and 26 spaced apart and facing rearward toward the rotary beater-bar mechanism hereinafter described, so as to provide a passage 27 between said break-bars, adapted to permit the' passage of stalks of hemp or other fibrous material to be operated upon. Each of these stationary break bars is, by preference, provided with angular end portions 28, at its opposite extremities, adjustably mounted but adapted to be rigidly secured in a slotted portion 29 in the corresponding.

ently upon a suitable support, or each in a separate slot 29, as desired.

The angular end portions of the breakbars here shown. are adapted to be secured in rigid operative position by any suitable securing means, such, for instance, as screws or bolts 30 anchored in the standards and 1n securing engagement with the break-bars; and the break-bars, or the angular end portions thereof, may be provided with horizontal apertures adapted to admit axles 31 and 32 of the upper feed roll 33, and the lower feed roll 34, respectively.

The axle 32 of the lower feed roll is mounted in suitable journal hearings in the frame of the machine, 'suchfor instanceas frame members 12, or 12 and 14; and the axle 31 of the upper feedroll 33 extends through elongated openings or movable bearings 36its opposite ends being by preference, journaled in suitable sli ably mounted bearing blocks 37, which may be. in the form of any desired ordinary and well known type of spring-pressed bearing block. One or more spur gears 35, fixed to the shaft 31. are in toothed engagement with one or more corresponding spur. gear '-June 8, 1920) for an improvement in ma chines for breaking and scutching hemp or other fibrous material, to which attention is directed.

Mounted back of and in parallel relation to the upper break-bar 23 in position to move downward toward and cooperate with the rear fiber-engaging or breaking edge 26 of .the lower break-bar 24. is a series of parallel non-invertible revolving beater-bars 44, each of which is pivotally supported at its opposite ends upon a rotative support consisting of or comprising a bar-su' portin disk or wheel 45 rotatively mount at eac end of said'series of upper beater-bars, each of said wheels being provided with a stub Y shaft bearings 48' in the frame.

shaft. axle or supporting journal portions 47 fixed thereto and journallcd in suitable These axles or end journals 47 constitute enlarged end portions of a central shaft -19. of smaller diameter. Said shaft 49' extends across from one to the other of said wheels 45, and in fixed relation to and at the. axial center of said wheels. zConnccting rods 48 are fixed to the wheels *5, and rigidly connect the same-thus forming a rotary bar-supporting frame which is journaled at its opposite ends on the outside of the opposite extremities of the pivoted heater-bars, each of which is pivotally mounted or journaled upon such rotative support in journal hearings in the; wheels 45.

Each of the beater-bars -14 is provided at its-opposite emlswith strong, preferably reenforced end portions 49 to each of which is fixed a strong journal portion. crank shaft or axle 50. which serves to support and pivotally connect 'each-heater-har with its rotative support.

To the outer extremity of each crank 50 is fixed a crank arm 51. These crank arms are each located on the outside of the corresponding bar-supporting wheel.

- 4s); and a preferably stationary eccentric or hearing 52 having an opening 53 therein through which the corresponding journal or axle 4:7 extends. is secured to the adjacent frame member in eccentric relation to the axle 17 and on-the outside of the adjacent bar-supporting wheel 45, by means of a central pin or boss 54,-or other suitable se curing means.

Rotatively mounted on each eccentric bearing 52 is an eccentric ring or gear 55 eccentric with respect to the wheels and their journals or supporting bearings, but concentric with respect to the bearing 52- which gear is opcratively connected with the seriesof adjacent cranks 51 in such a manner as to guide the cranks and thereby the series of beater-bars, there being a pair of said eccentric gears 55, one at each end of the rotatire supporting frame or drum, the opposite ends of which are formed by the gear Wheels 45, 4!. This is accomplished by preference as follows: Each crank 51 is provided with an elongated slot 56, and the eccentric rings or gears are each provided with a series of guiding studs 01' pins 57in this instance 3.-spaced apart uniformly and at equal distances from the axial center of the ring or eccentricgear. There is one of said studs or pins 57 for each crank which is to be operatively connected with such eccentric ring or gear. These studs or pins extend into and operatively engage the slotted portions of the corresponding cranks 51 'to be guided thereby. It is obvious that anti-friction bearing '..blocks of any ordinary and well known form may be interposed between the pins 57 and the slotted cranks 51, but such bearing blocks are familialand well known and in common use for forming movable journal bearings for axles or wrist pins, as-for instancein'the case of bearing blocks 37 operating mechanism already described, ex-

cept that the lower beater bars move 11 ward into striking engagement with the brous material and cooperate with the top beat er-bars and with the upper stationary breakbar, while the upper series of beater-bars move down-ward into striking engagement with the fibrous material, and toward the top rear fiber-breaking edge of the lower break-bar, and'cooperate with the latter and with the lower series of beater-bars in toperating upon the fibrous material to be treated.

Each of the lower beater-bars 58 is pro- Vided with opposite end portions 59 each having a crank shaft, journal or axle 60 projecting outwardendwise therefrom, through an opening or bearing in an adjacent rotative bar-supporting Wheel 62 corresponding with the bar-supporting wheels 45 already described. To the outer'end of each crank-shaft 60 is fixed a crank arm 61 having an elohgated slot 62' therein which is adapted to admit and slidably engage a pin or guiding stud 63 on an eccentric ring or gear wheel 64 which is rotatively mounted upon a preferably stationary eccentric bearing 65, which is mounted upon the frame of the machine, and may be secured to the frame by means of a stud or boss 66, or other suitable securing means. Each eccentric 65 has an opening 67 therein through which extends a shaft or axle 68, which is fixed to the axial centers of or in concentric relation to the axial centers of the lower bar-supporting wheels 62. The shaft or axle 68 is journaled at opposite ends of the rotative beater-bar supporting frame, in suitable bearings 69 in the frame.

The bar-supporting wheels'62 are further rigidly connected by means of connecting rods 70 so as to permit freedom of mov ment of the beater-bars. are thus non-invertible, but are permitted to revolve or travel around the axis of the rota- The beater-bars tive sup orting frame comprising the rota= tive hea or gear wheels 62, connecting rods 70, and axleor shaft 68, or the rotative support upon which the beater-bars are journaled or pivotally supported.

In operation, the path of movement of the fiber-engaging or breaking edges of the beat: cr-bars is elliptical or' approximately elliptical, and eccentric with respect to the axial centers of the rotative supports upon which the beater-bars are pivotally supported. The pivoted beater-bars thus move into 'and out of engagementwith the stalks of fibrous material'm successive order in such a manner that the fibrous material will be struck on opposite sides of the layer of said material alternately by the beater-bars of the upper and lower series successively.

The upper and lower series of beater-bars, mounted and adapted to operate as herein described, are operatively connected so as to operate in synchronous relation to each other, by preference, as follosvsz The up er bar-supportin wheels areeach PIOVl ed with gear teet 71 which are in toothed'engagement with similar gear-teeth 72 on the peripheral rim of the corresponding barsupporting wheel 62. The rotative eccentric rings or gears 55 are each provided w1th gear teeth 74 which are in toothed engagement with similar ear teeth 75 on the rotative eccentric whee 64 at the corresponding end of the series of beater-bars, already described. The eccentrics and the bar-supporting wheels 45 and 62 are thus all so operative yconnected that they all have the same number of revolutions per minute, and all rotate and cause the beater-bars to be operated in synchronous relation, all of said rotative toothed. gear members being so constructed and arranged and operatively connected that they all have the same number of revolutions per minute.

A main drive shaft 76 is rotativel mounted in suitable journal bearings 7 in the main frame; and a pair of spur gear wheels 78 are each fixed to said shaft, and each in toothed engagement with an adjacent spu'r gear wheel 79 of a pair of gear wheels each of which spur gears 79 is fixed to the shaft 68 on which the lower pair of bar-supporting wheels 62 are mounted, so that the gears 79 and 62 are in fixed relation, and are'operatively connected with and operated by the main drive shaft 76 and the spur gears 78.

on said shaft, 'saidgears 79 and eccentric of the "same pitch diameter and so operatively connected that they will have the same speed of rotation or number of rotations per minute.

It will be readily-seen that in operation the 'upper andlower series of beater-bar's will be caused to revolve in opposite directio and that each beater-bar will be noninv rtibl And the. path of movement of ma e wise of the stalks, and will follow an elliptical path, or approximately an elliptical paththat is to say, the fiber-enga ing or reaking edges of the beater bars wi 1 move in an approximately elliptical path which is' eccentric with respect to the axis of the main rotative beater-bar supporting frame or wheels. And the direction of movement of the fiber-engagingaed es of the lower beater-bars into and out o engagement with the opposite. 'side of the layer of stalks or fibrous material will be upward and toward the lower fiber-breaking edge of the u per break-bar, transverselyto the length 0 the stalks, and rearward and downward in an approximately elliptical or curved path w ich is eccentric, with respect to the axis of the lower rotative beater-bar supporting frame and its main end gear wheels 62.

It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates that the varying conditions and character of the fibrous material to be treated, or broken, scutched and cleaned, renders it desirable and necessary to the accomplishment of the best results that some stalks or fibrous material should receive more beating, 1 or harder strokes than others, and some should receive more scutching or scraping than others, according to the condition, character and kind or species of fiber or stalks to be treated, stalks that are under-retted or only artially cured requirin more or harder eating and scutching than would be required or good for a batch of over-retted stalks, etc.

The extent and degree of severity of the beatin may be ,regu ated by adjusting the beaterars toward or from the path of movement of the rotary beater-bars, and also by regulating the speed of movement of the beater-bars. And the striking or beating edges of the beater-bars may be made more or less sharp, as required by the condition or kind of stalks of fibrous material. The scraping edges 80 of the beaterbars 45 and 58 may be sharpened and may project beyond the main body of the bar to any desired extent, and may be sharpened by providing a recess 81 above and parallel with the scraping edge or fiber-engaging edge which faces in the direction of move-' to be mounted upon and secured in any d esired position with respect to the -ma1n.

frame, and comprises longitudinal bottom side frame members or sills 82, located on o posite sides of the main frame of the maline, and removably supported by the latter, top side frame members 83, upright side frame members 84 and 85, transverse frame members 86, 87, 8S; and 89. each secured at its opposite fends to the upright forward side frame members 84. on opposite sides of the machine, and upper transverse members 82, an

frame member securedtothe uprights 85 on opposite sides ofthe machine frame, a bottom transverse frame member 91, secured to the o posite bottom side frame 3 inclined side frame members 92', located on opposite sides of the frame and secured to the bottom side frame members 82, and to the upper forward corners of the frame at or near the upper-ends of the upright side frame members 84, all

of which may be of angle iron construction,

or of any desired suitable material for forming such a frame.

A pair of oscillating or vibrating shaker jaws, frames or plates of simple construction and adapted to operate in an economical and eflicient manner, is mounted directly back of the upper and lower rotary beaterbar mechanlsm. These shaker aws. frames.

plates or main upper and lower oscillating shaker members are ranged as follows:

The upper shaker jaw or frame comprises in its construction a series of ribs or bars 93 constructed and arwhich are pivotally supported. at the forward extremity of the jaw nearest the beaterbars by means of a transverse horizontal pivot rod or shaft 94 which, bypreferencc.

extends through the perforated forward ends of all of said ribs 93, said rod being supported in horizontal position by means of hinge members 94' through the lower perforated endsof which said rod extends; The hinge members 94' are secured to the transverse frame member 87 by means of bolts 96 or similar securing means. A plate 97, which maybe made of sheet metal extends beneath the series of ribs 93 and is folded over the shaft 94, and pivotallv supported by the same, and secured to the ribs by means of a rod 98 which is secured to the rear swinging portions of the ribs and extends alon the under side of the rear marginal portion of the plate which is bent upward and over said rod, so as to be held in place and securely connected with the ribs and rod,to form a strong, well braced, and comparatively light structure or upper shaker jaw. A similar lower shaker jaw is mounted beneath and in approximately parallel relation to the upper jaw, and spaced apart from the latter so as to provide a passage between the upper and lower oscillating or vibratory pivoted jaws adapted to permit hemp or other fibrous materialto pass rearward be tween the jaws from between the beaterbars, while the shaker jaws are rapidly shaking or oscillating so as to shake the layer of hemp or other fibrous material passing between the jaws, and loosen and separate the hurds or shives from the fibrous material and. permit the cleaned fibrous material to be removed or pass rearward from between the rear. rapidly swinging extremities of the jaws; 'This'lowerjaw' comprises in its construction a seriesof ribs 99 whichare, by preference, 'pivotally mounted upon a pivot .rod 100 located beneath and spaced apart andin'parallel relation to the'rod 94, and supportedby means'of hinge members 101 which are secured tothe transverse frame member 88'already described. A plate 102 extends over and across the series of ribs 99. and isfolded back over and pivotally supported by the rod 100, the rear extremity of said plate102 being secured to the ribs 99 by means of a rod 103 which extends through and is supported by the rear extremities of all of'said'ribs, andextends over said rear margin of the plate. so as to rigidly secure and hol-dthe plate in place upon and in engagement with said ribs, thus forming a lower jaw which is-of substantially identical construction with the upper jaw, but in inverted relation to the latter. The ribs of the rods 106 are mounted upon the wrist pins of the crank shaft, and each connected with the oscillating jaw mechanism above de-' scribed.

The pitman rods may be connected with the upper jaw in a simple'and eflicient manner by means of and 107 which extends through suitable apertures in'all or'any desired number of the ribs 93, or any suitable portion of the upper jaw, and through the openings in the corresponding. ends of the pltman-rods, so that the latter'are pivotally connected; with the oscillating jaw mechanism and with the crank shaft. The upper and lowerjaws are, by preference, connected at their opposite ends or transverse extremities by means of links 108, one end of each of said links being connected with the rod 107, and the other witha .rod 109 which is anchored in or mounted upon the ribs of the lower jaw. Means for enabling the upper and lower jaws to be adjustably secured in such relation toeach other as to provide the desired space between the jaws is provided, and may consist of holes 110, 110, in the ribs of the upper and lower jaws, or either of them, adapted to receive the rods 107 and 109 respectively. The length of movement of the aws upward and downward may be increased and decreased, as desired, by shifting the rod 107 to the holes 110, or from the latter to the holes in which the rod is shown in the drawings, the holes mentioned being located at different distances from the pivot rod or axis of. the jaw mechanism.

Suitable feeding means is provided, for feeding the fibrous material into position to pass'between the oscillating jaws from the eater-bar mechanism, and may consist of an upper feed roll lllhaving its opposite end journals 112 journaled in spring-pressed sliding blocks 113, at o posite sides of the machine frame, and a ower feed roll 114 having its opposite end journals 115 journaled in bearmgs 116, said rolls being in parallel relation back of and closely adjacent to thepath of movement of the upper andrlower series of beater bars, and adapted to cause fibrous material passing rearward between the beater bars, to be fed between the oscillatin shaker jaws. A shield 117, suitably weig ted or counter-balanced by means of a weight 118 so as to be yieldingly held in contact with and swing upward and downward with the roll 112, is pivotally mounted in position to engage the upwardly moving or. rearwardly moving side of said roll, and extend from the roll rearward toward the jaws, so as to guide material from the roll into position to pass between the jaws, and prevent wrapping of fibrous material around the roll; and a similar shield 119 is mounted in position to engage the rear upper side of the lower feed roll and extend therefrom rearward toward the pivoted portion of the lower jaw.

A stationary. preferably adjustable. scutching bar 120 is mounted in position to extend transversely across the machine back of and adjacentto the rear swinging margins of the oscillating jaws above described. This bar may be adjustabl secured in position by means of heade bolts 121 extending through elongated slots 122 inthe angular end portions of the bar, and anchored in the upright side frame memhere 85.

An upper paddle wheel 123 and a lower paddle wheel 124' are mounted rearward with respect to and in parallel relation to the bar 120 and the rear margins of the shaker jaws, and are spaced apart so as to permit and cause the passage of fibrous' material rearward between the'paddle wheels as the fibrous material is discharged from between the shaker jaws.

These paddle wheels may be of identical construction, each consisting of a pair of heads havin radial arms 124 extending outward radially from hubs 125 at opposite ends of the paddle wheels, and having paddles 126 mounted upon the radial arms and uniformly spaced apart, 'each of the paddle wheels having a shaft (127-127'), the opposite ends of which are journaled in suitable bearings in the machine frame, so as to rotatively support the paddle wheels in parallel relation, and in such position that the.paddles of each wheel will cross the path of movement of the paddles of the other wheel, and cause fibrous material to be fed rearward between the paddle wheels. with the paddles of the lower fiddle wheel in engagement with the under side of the layer of fibrous material, and those of the aupper wheel in engagement with the upper side of the layer. of material; and so that the rear margin of the upper shaker jaw will move downward closely adjacent to the upwardly moving paddles of the lower paddle wheel, and the rear margin of the lower shaker jaw will move upward toward the lower forward edge of the scutcher bar 120. And the paddles of the upper paddle wheel will move downward past the rear margin or edge of the bar 120, which, rear edge is, by preference located upward and rearward from the front edge of said bar, so as to per- 'mit fibrous material to be thrown upward against said bar by the shaker jaws, and shaken and flexed rapidly as the fibrous mw terial passes rearward between the jaws, and between the paddle wheels located back of the shaker jaws, thereby scutching and loosening the hurds from the fibers. and delivering the cleaned fibrous material at the rear of the machine.

An endless apron 128 is mounted at the -rear end of the machine on rolls 129, and 130, each having its axle journaled at its opposite ends in suitable bearings in the machine frame; and a roll 131 having its axle'132 journaled at its opposite ends in suitable bearings in the frame, extends across the endless apron in parallel relation to the roll 129, and in contact with the front portion of the upper rearwardly moving lap of the endless apron, so asito feed fibrou's material rearward from between theward extremity on a roll 134 having an axle 135, the opposite ends ofwhich are journaled in suitable bearings in the frame; the

.rear extremity of said endless apron being ,ly or indirectly with the main drive shaft,

or with a suitable source of power.

The crank shaft 105, which operates the shaker mechanism or oscillating jaws, is operatively connected with the main drive shaft 76 by meansof a sprocket wheel 140 fixed to the'shaft 105, a sprocket wheel 141 fixed to the main drive shaft.-and a sprocket chain 142 mounted on said sprocket wheels. The feed rolls 111 and 114 are operatively connected by means of a spur gear wheel 143 on the shaft 112 of the upper feed roll, and a spur gear wheel 144 fixed to the shaft 115 of the lower feed roll 114, and in toothed engagement with the gear 143. The shaft 115 of the roll 114, and the shaft 135 of the roll 134 which supports the forward ex tremity of the endless apron 133, are operatively connected with each other and with the main drive shaft by means of a sprocket wheel 14:) fixed to the shaft 115, a sprocket wheel 146 fixed to the shaft 135, a sprocket chain 147 mounted on said sprockets: a sprocket wheel 148 fixed to the shaft 127', a sprocket wheel 149 fixed to-the shaft 105 which is connected with the main drive shaft, and a sprocket chain 150 mounted on said sprockets 148 and 149. I I

The lower paddle wheel 124 having a shaft 127 is operatively connected with the upper paddle wheel 123, by means of a spur gear 150' fixed to the shaft 127' of the upper paddle wheel, and a spur gear 151' fixed to the shaft 127 of the lower paddle wheel and in toothed engagement with the gear 150'.

The lower paddle wheel 124' with its'shaft 127 is operatively connected with theshaft 115 of the lower feed roll 114 by means of a sprocket 152 fixed to the shaft 127, a

' sprocket 153 fixed to the shaft 115, and a sprocket chain 15.4 mounted on said pair of sprockets.

The rear roll 130 which supports the rear portion of the endless apron 128 is operatively connected with the shaft 127 of. the lower paddle wheel 124' by means of a sprocket 1'55 fixed to the axle 139 of said roll 130, a sprocket 156 fixed to the axle 127, and a sprocket chain 157 mounted on said pair of sprockets.

The lower main feed roll 34 on the axle 32 is o ieratively connected with a source of power y means of a sprocket 158 fixed to the shaft 32, a sprocket wheel 159 fixed to the shaft or axle 115 of the lower interme-- diate feed roll 114, and a sprocket chain 160 mountedv on said pair of sprockets. And said upper and lower front feed rolls 33 and 34 are operatively connected with each other by means, of spur gears on theirrespective shafts and in toothed engagement with each other, as aIL-eadydescribed, or by any desired ordinary and well known form of connecting gear mechanism.

A modified form of breaking and scutching machine, shown in Figs, 3, 4, and 5, of the drawings, and embodying my invention, is constructed as follows:

A main frame is provided which may be necting flanges, and suitable bearings for supporting the movable parts of the machine to be mounted in and supported by said main frame or side frame members. The frame members 202and 203, are rigidly connected by means of bolts 204, which extend through suitably perforated portions of flanges 205 'of the front side frame members 202, and

flanges 206 of the rear main side frame members 203, or by other similar or suitable securing means.

Each of the main side frames is bored out at 207, and provided with suitable bushings or bearings 208 mounted in and forming linings for the-bores thus formed in the upper portions of the casing or main side frame members. And similar bores 209 are made in each of the side frames 201, in parallel relation to the bores 207, and bushings or bearings 208, and provided with linings, bushings or bearings 210. The bearings 208 thus formed on opposite sides of the frame of the machine, are in alignment, and are adapted to form journal bearings or supports for an upper series of beater-bars, and their rotative supports, or supporting wheels or drums, hereinafter more particularly described; and the bearings 210, which are likewise located onopposite sides of the ma-- .chine and in alignment with each other.

serve to form journal hearings or supports for a-lower series of beater-bars, and their supporting wheels or drums shown in Figs.

and 4. i p I The main side frames or casings 201, 201

are mounted in parallel relation to each other in position to form opposite side frames of the machine, andarerigidly connected by suitable-transverse frame members wh ch may consist of or comprise an upper rear transverse frame member or beam211, r and a lower rear transverse frame member or beam 212, each of which extends across the machine from one side to the other thereof and is secured at each end to the rear mam side frame members 203,. 203,

located on opposite sides of the machine.

These transverse frame members or beams have suitable side flanges at the opposite longitudinal margins of their, preferablv slightly curved bodies, adapted to afford the desired strength; and are provided with end flanges 213 at each end of each of the transverse beams, having perforations through which extend securing bolts 214, each of which is anchored in an adjacent marginal flange portion of the corresponding rear main side frame member 203, so asto firmly secure the transverse beams and main side frames in rigid relation to each other, and form a strong and rigid bers which may consist of a connecting rod 215, the opposite extremities of which are connected with said frame members 202, 202, respectively, said rod being encircled b'y means of a hollow shaft or pipe 216, the

ends of which abut against the inner faces of said frame members 202, 202, so that by tightening the securing nuts 217 on the threaded ends of the rod, the parts will be tightly drawn and secured in rigid engagement, with the main side frame -members -properly spaced apart,-and held in place by the transverse members 215, 216, and beams 211, 212.-

Mounted between the side frames 201, 201, and secured to the upper and lower forward portions 219', 220 of the front sideframe members 202, 202. respectively by means of connecting rods 221, 221, is a pair of break-barswhich are by preference stationary-each of which is provided at its opposite ends with perforated projecting angular end portions or securing bosses 28 through which the securing rods or bolts 221 anchored at their opposite ends in the side frame members 202, 202, extend. These break-bars extend transversely across the forward portion of the frame of the ma chine from side-frame to side-frame, to which their opposite ends are securely attached, and consist of an upper break-bar 23' and a lower break-bar 24 mounted in parallel superposed relation, with their rear fiber-engaging and breaking edges 25' and '26 spaced apart and facing rearward toward the rotary beater-bar mechanism hereinafter described, so as to provide a passage 27 between said break-bars, adapted to permit the passage of stalks of hemp or other fibrous material to be operated upon. Each of these stationary break-bars is, by preference, provided with angular end portions 628 at its opposite extremities adapted to permit the adjustment of the break-bars, but also adapted to be rigidly secured to the side frame members 202. 202, as above indicated. The ends of the break-bars are adapted to be secured in rigid operative position, in any position to which they are adjusted, by any suitable securing means. such, for instance. as screws or bolts 30' anchored in the side framemembers at the ends of the break-bars, and in securing engagement-preferably threaded engagement -with the break bars.

An upper feed roll '33, having an axle 31 and a lower feed roll 34' having an tion. in front of the break-bars 23' and 24' and between the side-frames 201, 201, the opposite ends of said axles being journaled in suitable bearings in the machine frame.

The axle 31 of the upper feed roll 33' is, by

preference, journaled at its opposite ends in suitable upwardly and downwardly movable slidably mounted bearing blocks 37'. which may be in the form of any desired ordinary and well known type of springpressed bearing blocks. each of which is slidably mounted in a bearing slot 222 in the side frame of the machine and provided with a compressible spring 223 in engagement with each of said bearing blocks and adapted to permit but yieldingly resist the upward movement of the bearing blocks and the upper feed roll 33 supported thereby. One or more spur gears 35' mounted in fixed relation to or operatively connected with the shaft or axle 31 by means of a connecting stub-shaft 224 which is articulately connected with the axle 31' by means of suitable coupling or connecting shaft member 225 having articulate or universal joint connections at its opposite ends, with the angular endsof the stub shaft 224 and axle 31', respectively, are operatively connected or in toothed engagement with one or more corresponding spur gear wheels 38' fixed to or operatively connected with the axle 32' of the bottom main feed roll 34'. Said gears may be operatively connected by means of a train of gears comprising a spur gear 226 having a hub 227, said gear being loosely mounted on or in rotative relation to the stub shaft 224; a spur gear 228 and spur pinion 229 rigidly connected and both mounted in rotative reaxle 32', are mounted in superposed rela lation to or loosely upon the axle 32' of the are thus operatively connected with each other and with the main drive shaft, and are adapted to be operated bythe latter.

Mounted back of and in arallel relation to the upper break-bar '23 in position to move downward toward and cooperate with the rear fiber-engaging or breaking edge 26' of the lower break-bar 24' is a series of parallel non-invertible revolving beater-bars 44 each of which is pivotally supported at. it opposite ends upon a rotative support consisting of or comprisinga bar-supporting disk, wheel or drum 45 rotatively mounted at eachend of said series of beaterbars, each of 'said wheels being provided with a hollow drum or short supporting journal or hearing portions or bosses 47' fixed thereto and journaled in suitable bearings 208 in the frame. A central shaft portion or red 49", which is by preference triangular in cross-section, and small enough in cross-section to permit the beater-bars 44 to revolve freely without becoming inverted or turning over bodily, extends across from one to the other of said wheels and is fixed at its op ite ends to and at the axial centers of sai wheels or drums 45'. Connecting rods 48' are fixed to the wheels 45 and rigidly connect the same, and are arranged at equal distances from each other and at equal distances-from the axis of the bar-supporting frame, and at equal distances from the axes of the beater-bars 44', so as not to come in contact with or interfere with the movements of the latter, thus forming fa rotary bar-supporting frame which is journaled at its opposite ends on the outside of the opposite extremities of the pivoted beater-bars, each of which is pivotally mounted or journaled upon such rotative-support in journal bearings 231 in the beater-bar-supporting wheels 45'.

Each of the beater-bars 44' is provided at its opposite ends with strong, preferably reinforced end portions 49' to each of 'whichds fixed a strong journal portion,

crank-j shaft or axle 50' which serves to sup- ;port and pivotally connect each beater-bar "wit-hits rotative support.

To'the outer extremity of each crank shaft 50 is fixed a crank arm 51'. These crank arms are each located on the outside of the drawings.

tation of said gears and the journalengaging portion of the bearings 52'--which gear 55 is operatively connected with the said eccentric gears 55,- one at each end of the supporting frame or drum, the opposite ends of which are formed bythe gears or drums 45', 45'. This is accomplished by suitable connecting means which may be constructed as follows: Each crank 51' .is provided with an elongated slot56, and the eccentric gears 55' are each provided with a series of studs or pins 57'-ii1 this instance 3-spaced apart uniformly and at equal distances from the axial center of the ring or eccentric gear. There is one of said studs or pins 57' for each crank which is to be operatively connected with such eccentric ring or gear. These studs or pins extend into and operatively engage the slotted portions of the corresponding'cranks' 51' to be guided thereby. Anti-friction guiding bearing blocks 232'-one for each pin 57 are interposed between the crank pins 57 and the slotted cranks 51'. Each of these bearing blocks is slidably mounted in a slot 56 in the corresponding crank arm 51', and has'a perforation through the sliding block into or throu h which the crank pin on which the sliding block is mounted extends.

The slots in the crank arms are dis osed the eccentric rotary guiding member or wheel 234 on which the crank pins are mounted, so that the sliding blocks are free to move lengthwise of the slotted cranks in which they aremounted and to extend outward beyond the swinging ends of the cranks when the blocks reach the limit of their path of movement in one direction lengthwise of the cranks, and to project outward beyond the ivoted ends of the cranks when the sliding blocks reach the limit of their path of movement in the opposite direction or towardthe pivoted ends of the cranks. I refer to make the sliding blocks rectangu ar with flat sides or parallel sides in sliding engagement with cor responding parallel side walls of the slots in WhlCl]. they are mounted, although it is obvious that the shapes of the blocks may be. modified or varied, and are not required to be of the identical form shown in the The rotary eccentric guiding wheel or plate 234 is by preference triangular or three-cornered, and has its periphery hollowed out or concave between the projecting corner portions thereof, so as to permit the adjacent correspondin eccentric guiding member or plate 234' o the adjacent rotary eccentric guiding mechanism for the adjacent series of beater bars to rotate in interlapping relation to or as close as practicable to the eccentric member 234.

Each eccentric guiding wheel or threecornered angular plate 234 is mounted in fixed relation to a stub shaft 235 which is journaled in a suitable bearing 236 stationall practical purposes, a single rotative guiding member on each side of the machine on the outside of the corresponding toothed beater-bar supporting wheel 45. Each of the crank arms 51' thus extends between a rotative bar-supporting wheel 45 and a corresponding adjacent eccentric guiding wheel or plate 55.

Mounted back of and in parallel relation to the lower stationary break-bar 24:, and in parallel relation to and in position to cooperate with the beater-bars 44, and adapted to move upward in successive order toward and to cooperate with the lower-rear fiber-engaging or breaking edge 25 of the upper break-bar 23', is a lower series of beater-bars 58'. These lower beater-bars 58, and their rotative supporting and operating and guiding mechanism, are all constructed and adapted to operate in all substantial respects identically like the upper series of beater-bars, and their rotative supports, and eccentric guiding mechanism and operating and connecting mechanism already described, except that the lower beater-bars move upward into striking engagement with the fibrous material, and

cooperate with the top beater-bars and with the upper stationary break-bar, while the upper series of beater-bars move downward into striking engagement with the fibrous material, and toward the top rear fiberbreaking edge of the lower break-bar, and cooperate with the latter and with the lower series of beater-bars in operating on the fibrous material to be treated.

Each of the lower beater-bars 58' is provided with opposite end portions 59" each having a crank shaft, journal or axle 60' projecting. outward endwise therefrom, through an opening or bearinglike the bearing 231--in an adjacent corresponding rotative bar-supporting wheel 62 corresponding with the bar-supporting wheels 45' already described. To the outer end of each crank shaft 60' ofthe lower set of beater bars 58' shown in Fig. 3 is fixed a slotted crank arm 61 having an elongated slot 238 therein which corresponds in all meaeee eccentric wheels is provided with a toothed,

gear wheel member 64 which is mounted in fixed relation to the same stub shaft 240 to which such angular eccentric guiding plate or wheel 234' is fixed. On each stub shaft "240there being one of said shafts on each side of the machine frame, each mounted in suitable eccentric bearings 241, in the main side frames 201is mounted a toothed spur gear wheel 242, which spur gears are each guidfixed to the correspondin stub shaft 240 upon which the corresponding eccentric rotary guiding members 234' and 64' are also fixed. These spur gear wheels 242 are both of the same pitch diameter as the toothed beater-bar supporting wheels 62 and 45.

These guiding crank pins. 63 each extend into and operatively engage a corresponding slotted portion of a corresponding crank arm 61 which is to be guided thereby. Andanti-friction guiding bearing blocks 232'one for each pin 63 -are interposed between the crank pins 63 and the corresponding slotted crank arms 61. Each of these bearing blocks 232' is slidably mounted in a corresponding slot 238 in the adjacent crank arm 61', and has a perforation through such sliding block into or through which the crank pin on which the sliding block is mounted extends. The slots in the crank arms are disposed longitudinally of said arms, and are, by preference, open at both ends and on the side toward the eccentric guiding member on which the pins are mounted which extend. into such blocks. These sliding blocks 232' are con: structed identically like and operate in the same manner as sliding blocks 232 already described.

The gear-toothed bar-supporting wheels 62 are of identical construction with the wheels 45 already described, and are in tooth-engagement with the latter and the eccentric toothed gear wheel members 55' and '64 are of'identical construction and are each of the same pitch diameter, and in toothed engagement with each other, and all adapted to operate in the same manner.

The main drive shaft 76' which extends transversely across the machine from side to side thereof, and is mounted in suitable bearings- 244 located on opposite sides of the machine frame,.is-provided with a pair of spur gears 245 fixed thereto-one for of breakin each spur gear 242 on the stub shafts on which the eccentric guiding members 242 and 64 are mounted. Each of these spur gears 245 on the main driving shaft, is in toothed engagement with an adjacent corresponding spur gear wheel 242 on thestub shaft which operates the eccentric guidin wheels 64' and plates 242 already describe It will thus be readily seen that, as the spur gears 242 are of the same pitch diam.- eter as the bar-supporting gear wheels'62', it is only necessary to provide two additional spur gears 246 which are fixed to the main drive shaft 76 in position to each be in toothed engagement with a corresponding adjacent bar-supporting gear wheel 62, .to complete the driving mechanism for operatinv the two series of re- .volving non-invertible beater-bars, and the rotative supports upon which said heater-- bars are pivotally supported, and also the eccentric guiding mechanism by means of whichsaid beater-bars are guided. The beater-bar supporting wheels 62' are further rigidly connected by means of a series of connecting rods in such a manner as to permit freedom of movement of the beater bars on their axle bearings.

The upper toothed gear wheels 45' are in toothed engagement with the correspondingadjacent lower toothed gear wheels 62'; and the gears 55' are in toothed engagement with the corresponding gears 64' at the opposite ends of the upper and lower series of pivoted beater-bars, and on the outside of the gears 45' and 62'. It will thus be seen that, with the driving shaft 76 operatively connectedwith all of said gears in the manner herein shown and described, all of said gear wheels will be caused to rotate at the same speed of rotation or the same number of revolutions per minute, and the upper series of beater-bars and lower series of beater bars will be caused. to strike alternately on opposite sides of a layer of fibrous material to be operated upon thereby, as such layer of fibrous material is caused to pass between such upper and lower series of beater-bars, and between the break bars already described.

In Figs. 6 and 7 is shown another form and .scutching mechanism hav ing beater- 'ars pivotally mounted on rotative supports, and comprising an upper series and a lower series of beater-bars contructed and adapted to operate in allsubstantial respects identically as do the beaterbars 44, 58, of Figs. 1 and 2, and heaterbars 44 and 58' of the device shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5. In said Figs. 6 and 7 is also shown a modified form'- of' guiding mechanism for guiding the beater-bars, and a modified form of driving mechanism for driving the eccentric rotative mechanism, and the rotative supporting wheels 45, 45, and-62, 62, are-shown in said 6 and 7, but with the beater-bars, break bars,

shaker mechanism, guiding blocks for en-' gagement with the slotted crank arms of the beater-bars and other parts of the machine omitted or broken away, in order to enable the parts shown in said figures to be clearly illustrated and understood.

In the form of the device shown in said Figs. 6 and 7, the main drive shaft 76 is provided with a pair of spur pinions or gears 300, 300 located at-opposite sides of the machine and fixed to said main drive shaft in position to be in toothed engagement with the lower pairof main beaterbar supporting toothed gear wheels 62, 62, which are in turn in toothed engagement with the upper pair of main beater-bar supporting toothed gear wheels 45, 45, which support and operate the upper and lower series of beater-bars in the manner already described, and as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fixed to each pinion or spur gear wheel 300, 300, is a pinion or spur gear 301, 301.

And I prefer to connect each pinion 300, with its mate 301 by means of a connectin hub 302. These connected pinions are fix to the main drive shaft by. suitable securing means, and are of the same pitch diameter.

Upper stationary eccentrics or hearing members 52, 52, and lower eccentrics or hearing members 65, 65, are mounted in the side frames of the machine, and constructed and adapted to operate substantially as already described in connection with Figs. 1, and 2 of the drawings, said eccentric being located outside of the 45, 45, and 62, 62, as already described. On each eccentric bearing member 52 is rotatively mounted a spur gearbeater-bar-guidin wheel 55, 55, one at each side of the mac 'ne; and rotatively molmted on each eccentric 65, shown in said Figs. 6 and 7, is a similarbeater-bar-guiding spur gear wheel 64, 64, each of which is in toothed engagement with the correspondingggear 55. I

ach of the spur gears 55 has a threecornered beater-bar guidin plate or wheel 303, 303, fixed thereto, eac of said plates having three wrist-pins or crank pins 57,

57, 57; and each of the spur gears 64, 64,

shown in said Figs. 6, and 7. has a threecornered plate 304, 304, fixed thereto and adapted to rotate therewith upon the corres nding stationary eccentrics 65, 65. Sald plates 303, and 304, are. located between the gear wheels to which they are fixed, and the corresponding beater-bar supporting wheels 45, 45,,and 62, 62. And the plates or wheels 304 are each provided with a plurality of wrist pins, 63, one for each beater-bar to be guided thereby. The wrist pins 63, 63, 63 are each adapted to extend into and in guiding en ement with corresponding slotted crai s 61, 61, 61; and

the pins 57 are adapted to slidably engage and extend into slotted crank arms 51, 51, 51, fixed to opposite ends of the upper series of beater-bars--the crank arms 61 being 5 fixed to opposite ends of the beater-bars forming the lower series of such bars, as already described.

' Fixed to and in concentric relation to each of the eccentric spur gear wheels 65, 65, is

a spur gear wheel]305, 305, there being one.

of said spur-gear wheels 305 on each side of the machine. Each-of these last mentioned spur gear wheels 305, is in toothed engagement with an adjacent corresponding spur pinion 301, 301, already described.

It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that with the shafts 47 and 68 each journaled in and extending ,through a corresponding stationary eccentric 52, 65, respectively, the upper and lower rotative' supports for the two series of beater-bars, are supported in an efficient manner, and are operativel connected with the main driving shaft, which is also operatively connected with the eccentric guiding mechanism by simple and eflicient means, and in such .a manner as to enable the entire machine to be operated in an eficient manner, 'and to be constructed and assembled economically and with facility and in such a manner as to afi'ord the required stren h,

and reduce the friction to a minimum w en the machine is in operation. It vwill also be noted that the paddle wheels 123, and 1% are adapted to be used in place of the intermediate feed rolls 111, 114,- if desired.

I claim:

1. In a fiber treating machine of the class described, the combination of a pair of pivoted shaker jaws spaced apart and adapted to admit fibrous material therebetween to be operated upon thereby, means for delivering fibrous material in position to pass between the pivoted jaws, and means for operating the ]8.WS. v

2. In a fiber treating machine of the class described,the combination of a pair of pivoted shaker jaws spaced a art and adapted to admit fibrous material etween the aws to be operated upon thereby, fiber-supporting means located forward of the pivoted jaws and adapted to deliver fibrous material in position to pass between the same, means for operatively connectingthe jaws, and means for operating the jaws.

3. In a fiber treating machine of the class described, the combination of a pair of reciprocating shaker jaws spaced apart and adapted to admit fibrous material between the aws, to be operated upon thereby, fibersupporting and feeding mechanism located forward 0 the reciprocatin jaws and adapted-to deliver fibrous material in position to pass between the same, and means for iprocating the :1 jaws.

4. In a fiber treating machine of the class described, the combination of a pair of reciprocating shaker jaws spaced apart and adapted to admit fibrous material therebetween to be operated upon thereby, supporting pivot mechanism in'supporting engagement with the forward portions of the jaws adapted to permit the rear portions of the jaws to swing upward and downward back of the supporting pivot mechanism, fiber-engaging 'mechanism located forward of the shaker jawsland adapted to deliver fibrous material in position to pass between the jaws during the operation of the jaws, and means for operating the jaws.

5. In a fiber treating machine of the class described, the combination of a pair of shaker jaws spaced apart and adapted to admitfibrous material therebetween to be operated upon thereby, fiber supporting and feeding mechanism located forward of the shaker jaws and adapted to deliver fibrous material progressively in position to pass between the jaws, to be operated upon thereby, supportmg pivotmechanism in supporting engagement with the beater jaws and adapted to permit the rear portions of the jaws to swing upward and downward back of the axes of the jaws during the passage of fibrous material between the jaws, and shaker-j aw operatingmechanism operatively connected with the shaker jaws and with the feeding mechanism.

6. In a fiber treating machine of the class described, the combination of a pair of pivoted shaker jaws spaced apart and adapted to admit fibrous material therebetween to be operated upon thereby, feeding mechanism located forward of the shaker jaws and adapted to feed a layer of fibrous material 5 progressivel between the jaws during the operation 0 the latter, a. crank shaft operatively connected with the shaker jaws, and means for operating the crank shaft. V

7. In a fiber treating machine of the class described, the combination of a pair of pivoted shaker jaws spaced apart and ada ted to admit fibrous material between the aws to be operated upon thereby, the rear portions of the jaws being free to swing upward and downward back of'the axes of the jaws, a

jaw-operating shaft rotatively mounted in a suitable support, and eccentric mechanism on the shaft and operatively connectw with the shaker jaws, for operating the same during the passage of fibrous material between the aws.

8. In a fiber treating machine of the class described, the combination of a pair of pivoted shaker jaws spaced apart and adapted to admit fibrous material therebetween to be operated u 11 thereby, the rear portions of said jaws ing free to swing upward and downward back of the axes of the jaws, shaft and gear mechanism operatively con- RIO nected with the shaker jaw mechanism, for reciprocating the same during the passage of fibrous material between the jaws, and fiber-engaging means located back of the shaker jaws and adapted to engage fibrous material passing rearward between the jaws as such material is shaken upward and downward by the pivoted jaws.

9. In a fiber treating machine of the class described, the combination of a pair of 0scillating shaker jaws spaced apart and adapted to admit a layer of fibrous material progressively between the-jaws durin the operation of the latter, supporting iii mechanism in supporting engagement with the jaws and adapted to permit the rear portions of the jaws to swing upward and downward back of the axes of the jaws, fiber-engaging and sup orting mechanism located forward of the s aker jaws and acting to deliver fibrous material progressively in position to pass between the jaws during the operation of the same, means for operating the jaws, and rotative fiberengaging means located rearward with respect to the shakerjaws and acting to engage and' feed rearward fibrous material as such material is delivered and operated upon by the upwardly and downwardly swinging rear portions of the jaws.

10. In a fiber treating machine of the class described, the combination of a pivoted shaker aw comprising in its construction an oscillating plate the rear portion of which is adapted to oscillate back of the axis of such jaw, a second pivoted shaker jaw mounted in approximately parallel relation to the first-mentioned jaw, and spaced apart with respect to said first-mentioned jaw to .permit fibrous material to pass between the jaws, fiber-supporting means located forward of the shaker jaws and adapted to deliver fibrous material in position to pass rearward between the jaws, and means for operatin the jaws.

11. a fiber treating machine ofthe class described, the combination of a pivoted shaker jaw comprising an oscillating plate provided with a series of ribs, the rear pornge tion of said jaw being adapted to swing upward and downward back of the axis of the jaw a second jaw pivotally mounted in approximately parallel relation to and operatively connected with the first-mentioned jaw and spaced apart with respect to the same to provide a passage having an upper wall formed by the first-mentioned jaw and a lower wall formed by the last mentioned jaw adapted to permit fibrous material to pass rearwardly between the jaws while the latter are in operation, and means for recip- I rocating the jaws.

12. In a fiber treating machine of the class described, the combination of a pivoted shaker jaw the main body of which consists of a ribbed plate the rear rtion of which is adapted to swing'upwar ,and downward back to the axis of the jaw, a second jaw pivotally mounted adjacent to and spaced apart with respect to the first mentioned shaker jaw and adapted to admit fibrous material between said jaws during the operation of the same, means for operatively connecting said jaws, means for delivering fibrous material in position to pass rearward between the jaws, and shaft and gear mechanism operatively connected with the shaker jaw mechanism, 'for operating the transversely with respect to said axis and across the rear upwardly and downwardly swinging margin of said shaker member, and means for reciprocating said pivoted shaker member.

Signed at Chicago, Illinois, this 29th day of a 1920 to WILLIAM A. SHELY. h? i (a K v R! 0 M. Hxnomo. 

